Read Online Brian Friel Plays 2 by Brian Friel - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Brian Friel
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missing everybody.
Chris Are you serious?
Gerry Bit surprised myself – as a matter of interest.
Chris What do you know about Spain?
Gerry Not a lot. A little. Enough, maybe. Yes, I know enough. And I thought I should try my hand at something worthy for a change. Give Evans a Big Cause and he won’t let you down. It’s only everyday stuff he’s not successful at. Anyhow I’ve still to enlist … He’s still watching us. He thinks we don’t see him. I wouldn’t mind talking to him.
Chris He’s a bit shy.
Gerry Naturally. And I’m a stranger to him practically … does he know my name?
Chris Of course he knows your name.
Gerry Good. Thanks. Well, maybe not so good. He’s a very handsome child. With your eyes. Lucky boy.
‘Dancing in the Dark ’ softly from the radio.
Maggie Good for you, Aggie. What did you do to it?
Agnes I didn’t touch it.
Kate Turn that thing off, Aggie, would you?
Agnes does not.
Gerry You have a gramophone! I could have got it for you wholesale.
Chris It’s a wireless set.
Gerry Oh, very posh.
Chris It doesn’t go half the time. Aggie says it’s a heap of junk.
Gerry I know nothing about radios but I’ll take a look at it if you –
Chris Some other time. When you come back.
Pause.
Gerry And Agnes is well?
Chris Fine – fine.
Gerry Of all your sisters Agnes was the one that seemed to object least to me. Tell her I was asking for her.
Chris I’ll tell her.
They listen to the music.
Gerry Good tune.
Suddenly he takes her in his arms and dances.
Chris Gerry –
Gerry Don’t talk.
Chris What are you at?
Gerry Not a word.
Chris Oh God, Gerry –
Gerry Shhh.
Chris They’re watching us.
Gerry Who is?
Chris Maggie and Aggie. From the kitchen window.
Gerry Hope so. And Kate.
Chris And Father Jack.
Gerry Better still! Terrific!
He suddenly swings her round and round and dances her lightly, elegantly across the garden. As he does he sings the song to her.
Maggie ( quietly )They’re dancing.
Kate What!
Maggie They’re dancing together.
Kate God forgive you!
Maggie He has her in his arms.
Kate He has not! The animal! ( She flings the paper aside and joins Maggie at the window. )
Maggie They’re dancing round the garden, Aggie.
Kate Oh God, what sort of fool is she?
Maggie He’s a beautiful dancer, isn’t he?
Kate He’s leading her astray again, Maggie.
Maggie Look at her face – she’s easy led. Come here till you see, Aggie.
Agnes I’m busy! For God’s sake can’t you see I’m busy!
Maggie turns and looks at her in amazement.
Kate That’s the only thing that Evans creature could ever do well – was dance. ( Pause. )And look at her, the fool. For God’s sake, would you look at that fool of a woman? ( Pause. )Her whole face alters when she’s happy, doesn’t it? ( Pause. )They dance so well together. They’re such a beautiful couple. ( Pause. )She’s as beautiful as Bernie O’Donnell any day, isn’t she?
Maggie moves slowly away from the window and sits motionless.
Gerry Do you know the words?
Chris I never know any words.
Gerry Neither do I. Doesn’t matter. This is moreimportant. ( Pause .)Marry me, Chrissie. ( Pause .)Are you listening to me?
Chris I hear you.
Gerry Will you marry me when I come back in two weeks?
Chris I don’t think so, Gerry.
Gerry I’m mad about you. You know I am. I’ve always been mad about you.
Chris When you’re with me.
Gerry Leave this house and come away with –
Chris But you’d walk out on me again. You wouldn’t intend to but that’s what would happen because that’s your nature and you can’t help yourself.
Gerry Not this time, Chrissie. This time it will be –
Chris Don’t talk any more; no more words. Just dance me down the lane and then you’ll leave.
Gerry Believe me, Chrissie; this time the omens are terrific! The omens are unbelievable this time!
They dance off. After they have exited the music continues for a few seconds and then stops suddenly in
Chris Are you serious?
Gerry Bit surprised myself – as a matter of interest.
Chris What do you know about Spain?
Gerry Not a lot. A little. Enough, maybe. Yes, I know enough. And I thought I should try my hand at something worthy for a change. Give Evans a Big Cause and he won’t let you down. It’s only everyday stuff he’s not successful at. Anyhow I’ve still to enlist … He’s still watching us. He thinks we don’t see him. I wouldn’t mind talking to him.
Chris He’s a bit shy.
Gerry Naturally. And I’m a stranger to him practically … does he know my name?
Chris Of course he knows your name.
Gerry Good. Thanks. Well, maybe not so good. He’s a very handsome child. With your eyes. Lucky boy.
‘Dancing in the Dark ’ softly from the radio.
Maggie Good for you, Aggie. What did you do to it?
Agnes I didn’t touch it.
Kate Turn that thing off, Aggie, would you?
Agnes does not.
Gerry You have a gramophone! I could have got it for you wholesale.
Chris It’s a wireless set.
Gerry Oh, very posh.
Chris It doesn’t go half the time. Aggie says it’s a heap of junk.
Gerry I know nothing about radios but I’ll take a look at it if you –
Chris Some other time. When you come back.
Pause.
Gerry And Agnes is well?
Chris Fine – fine.
Gerry Of all your sisters Agnes was the one that seemed to object least to me. Tell her I was asking for her.
Chris I’ll tell her.
They listen to the music.
Gerry Good tune.
Suddenly he takes her in his arms and dances.
Chris Gerry –
Gerry Don’t talk.
Chris What are you at?
Gerry Not a word.
Chris Oh God, Gerry –
Gerry Shhh.
Chris They’re watching us.
Gerry Who is?
Chris Maggie and Aggie. From the kitchen window.
Gerry Hope so. And Kate.
Chris And Father Jack.
Gerry Better still! Terrific!
He suddenly swings her round and round and dances her lightly, elegantly across the garden. As he does he sings the song to her.
Maggie ( quietly )They’re dancing.
Kate What!
Maggie They’re dancing together.
Kate God forgive you!
Maggie He has her in his arms.
Kate He has not! The animal! ( She flings the paper aside and joins Maggie at the window. )
Maggie They’re dancing round the garden, Aggie.
Kate Oh God, what sort of fool is she?
Maggie He’s a beautiful dancer, isn’t he?
Kate He’s leading her astray again, Maggie.
Maggie Look at her face – she’s easy led. Come here till you see, Aggie.
Agnes I’m busy! For God’s sake can’t you see I’m busy!
Maggie turns and looks at her in amazement.
Kate That’s the only thing that Evans creature could ever do well – was dance. ( Pause. )And look at her, the fool. For God’s sake, would you look at that fool of a woman? ( Pause. )Her whole face alters when she’s happy, doesn’t it? ( Pause. )They dance so well together. They’re such a beautiful couple. ( Pause. )She’s as beautiful as Bernie O’Donnell any day, isn’t she?
Maggie moves slowly away from the window and sits motionless.
Gerry Do you know the words?
Chris I never know any words.
Gerry Neither do I. Doesn’t matter. This is moreimportant. ( Pause .)Marry me, Chrissie. ( Pause .)Are you listening to me?
Chris I hear you.
Gerry Will you marry me when I come back in two weeks?
Chris I don’t think so, Gerry.
Gerry I’m mad about you. You know I am. I’ve always been mad about you.
Chris When you’re with me.
Gerry Leave this house and come away with –
Chris But you’d walk out on me again. You wouldn’t intend to but that’s what would happen because that’s your nature and you can’t help yourself.
Gerry Not this time, Chrissie. This time it will be –
Chris Don’t talk any more; no more words. Just dance me down the lane and then you’ll leave.
Gerry Believe me, Chrissie; this time the omens are terrific! The omens are unbelievable this time!
They dance off. After they have exited the music continues for a few seconds and then stops suddenly in
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